Emmanuel Ndubuisi has been honoured for bravely stepping in and turning off the oxygen supply when a patient set her own head on fire by vaping
Nurse Emmanuel Ndubuisi has won a Cavell Star after stepping in when a patient ‘set their head on fire’ by vaping in her hospital bed(Image: NHS)
A nurse who stepped in to protect a patient who set themselves on fire by vaping while in their hospital bed has been honoured for his bravery and professionalism. Emmanuel Ndubuisi was working at Sunderland Royal last August when a patient is understood to have caused a blaze by vaping while connected to an oxygen supply.
Emmanuel has now been given the prestigious Cavell Star award, and he has reflected on stepping in to protect both the patient and his colleagues. The South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Trust highlighted how his “fast response” prevented a “far more serious” situation developing.
The woman, thought to be in her 50s, was injured – suffering burns to her head. Hospital bosses believe the fire started as she had been vaping while receiving oxygen.
There was damage to hospital oxygen masks, the floor – which had scorch marks – and even bedsheets.
Emmanuel said: “On the day it was a really scary moment, and you never know how you’re going to initially react. It was all about teamwork. Everyone acted so quickly. I was covered in smoke and terrified. I had to do one thing – either run off or turn that oxygen off.
“I’m incredibly grateful to receive this award. It’s a real honour and motivates me to keep doing my best for our patients and colleagues every day.”
Fire damage to an oxygen mask, bedsheets and the floor at Sunderland Royal Hospital(Image: NHS)
Trust bosses said that Emmanuel had “remained calm under pressure” and protected those in the room that day, including by On the day ward staff acted immediately, turning off the oxygen supply and using a fire extinguisher to put out the flames before they could spread. The heat and fumes from the fire also activated the ward’s fire alarm system.
Karen Sheard, director of nursing, midwifery and allied health professionals, said: “This is a powerful example of our Trust’s values in action. In the NHS, we often talk about our values – compassion, respect, teamwork and honesty, but this is about seeing those values lived in practice.
“Emmanuel represents the very best of our profession, reminds us why we are proud to work in healthcare and inspires all of us to continue striving for excellence. Thank you for all you do. We are incredibly proud to have Emmanuel part of our team.”
The Cavell Star Award recognises those who “demonstrate exceptional care, dedication and commitment to patients and colleagues” and is operated by nursing charity Cavell (formerly Cavell Nurses’ Trust).
After the incident, the South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Trust released images which showed how the subsequent blaze melted the oxygen mask that had been in use and its tubing. It was fused to a blanket and bedsheet and left scorch marks on the floor of the room.
At the time, the trust revealed it had formally logged six incidents where patients broke important hospital rules by smoking, and 11 where they did so by vaping, across a six month period. There had been three further incidents where vaping or smoking set off fire alarms.
Hospital bosses said this had been followed on “several occasions” by patients being verbally abusive and refusing to follow the rules in place. Smoking is not permitted anywhere on hospital land, while vaping is banned in buildings and outside of doorways.
The trust has more information available about its smoke free policies online.
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